I was stationed at Schofield Barracks from 1980-1983. I was introduced to Sacred Falls by some locals at my church.
My fondest memory was climbing the hillsides on the trail to Sacred Falls. The Mountain Apples ripe. I’ve never seen anything like them before or since. They tasted like an apple but have the consistency of a pear. They had pinkish clear flesh and one large pit. The trees weren’t very tall so they were easy to pick. We picked and ate and ate and picked till we could hardly walk.
Another time my roommate and I wanted to get some photos of the falls after a rain storm. (Bad idea) I took a step into brackish water and was instantly in over my head. Ruined the camera but got out alive. On several other occasions I attempted to climb the face of the falls to see what was above it. There were even spikes hammered into the rocks but I could never hang on well enough. Now I wish I had been more prepared and made it since it’s off limits now. How sad. That was truly a slice of paradise.
I remember people coming there dressed in everything from hiking gear to silk robes and slingback high heels. It all depended on who they heard about the falls from.
